The ‘Clean Dhubri Green Dhubri’ project was launched recently in Dhubri town with a view to make historic Dhubri town a clean city in Assam. A host of members from leading social organizations and also social group active in the social media joined the campaign appealing for clean and green Dhubri. It was, of late, realized that without the active participation and cooperation of the local people, it was extremely difficult for Dhubri Municipal Board alone to keep the town clean. So, the project envisaged involving people to make the Dhubri town free from garbage and transform it into a place of healthy living. Dhubri Deputy Commissioner, Anant Lal Gyani who is taking a keen interest also made a fervent appeal to the people and social organizations to extend co-operation in the mission of cleaning Dhubri.
Union Home Minister launches BADP Online Management System
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh had interaction with Field and State Level Officers implementing Border Area Development Programme (BADP), here today. During the interaction, relevant issues regarding implementation of BADP and to make it more effective were discussed in detail. Shri Rajnath Singh stressed that the border population is strategic asset to the country and important element to maintain border security. He emphasised that all out efforts must be made to improve social and economic infrastructure to ensure that these people continue to live in border villages. He mentioned that the government accords utmost priority to social and economic well-being of border population and to provide them all facilities like connectivity, safe drinking water, schools, hospitals and other facilities to ensure sustainable living in these areas. He assured Centre's continued assistance to States to strengthen infrastructure and development activities under the BADP.
The outlay under this Programme has been increased to Rs. 1,100 crore in 2017-18 from Rs. 990 crore in 2015-16. For comprehensive and all-round development of border villages, it has been decided to develop 61 model villages for which Rs. 126 crores have been released to the State Governments. Additional funds will also be made available as per requirement. Each model village will provide all basic facilities like primary health centre, primary education, community centre, connectivity, drainage, drinking water, etc. to enable sustainable living in border areas.
On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh launched BADP Online Management System for better planning, monitoring and implementation of various projects under BADP. Border States can submit their respective Annual Action Plans online and receive approvals from Ministry of Home Affairs in electronic mode which will bring in transparency in the sanction process and improve quality of planning and implementation.
BADP covers 111 border districts in 17 States to meet special development needs of border population with focus on people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border. A total of Rs. 13,400 crore has been released since the programme was initiated in 1986-87.
Senior officers from all 17 States and District Magistrates from 25 border districts attended the programme. Presentations were given by State Governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal highlighting major achievements under the BADP and steps taken by the State Governments to improve quality of life for border population. Shri Rajnath Singh also interacted with around 25 District Magistrates who spoke about the specific issues relevant to their districts.
During the interaction, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, MoS (Home), Shri Kiren Rijiju, MoS (Home), Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba and Special Secretary (Border Management), Shri B.R. Sharma were also present.
The United Democratic Party (UDP), partner of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, is however bent on contesting the Ranikor assembly seat, against Martin M. Danggo, which the UDP has described to be but a friendly match. Whoever wins does not matter as the equation in the MDA combine would not make much of a difference. The UDP would go alone and has rejected a common candidate of other political parties including the Congress. The UDP is setting up Pius Marwein, who is said to be a strong contender, who came second in Ranikor in the past two elections. The People’s Democratic Front leader, Pynshngain N Syiem have also come forward to contest the Ranikor seat. This would mean that the forces trying to unite against Martin M. Danggo are already divided in their approach, yet the political mind is so fickle, that change of any decision can come about the last moment.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has come up with a decision to field a candidate from the South Tura seat against the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma of the National Peoples’ Party. It is reported that the decision to field a candidate was apparently taken after a meeting between the leaders at the residence of B.G Momin who is the President of UDP Garo Hills at Bangsi Apal in the presence of Working President Linden Momin and General Secretary Utzol Sangma.
Utzol Sangma said that the decision to field a candidate against the CM was unanimous decision since there was no agreement between the UDP and Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) partners about the UDP not being able to field a candidate for South Tura. The party (UDP) has a big surprise for the Chief Minister in the upcoming by-poll.
Already forces of different political parties are lining up in the Ranikor battlefield. Rajah Martin M. Danggo has donned the jersey of the National People’s Party (NPP). Up and against him there is an ongoing attempt that a joint political force rally to defeat the Raja. The United Democratic Party (UDP) however has decided to go alone and fight it out against the candidate of its own coalition partner in the government. The UDP has however announced that this would be a friendly match contest. The interesting angle however is that Danggo has got a substantial Congress followers, which have brought his victories in previous elections. The question is where would these massive Congress vote banks go. The Danggo personal loyalists however would stick to him, rain or sunshine. The Rajah has therefore thrown the dice which can be either head or tail.
The Election for the post of Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) between H.S Shylla and Grace Kharpuri has to be put into hold as Chairman of the District Council L.G Nongsiej quit just before the election leaving the council without its Chairman.
The letter of resignation was handover to M Kharkrang Secretary Legislative of the KHADC and the letter will be sent to the Governor for consultation.
The normal political situation in Meghalaya is usually fluid in all times of the four season. Even when elections to the state legislative assembly is past history, yet there are important left over’s. The Chief Minister himself Conrad K. Sangma has to be formally elected as a representative of the House. Secondly, the constituency of Ranikor in Khasi Hills, has to be filled up, as former Congress representative, Martin M. Danggo, resigned after winning the elections and also from the Congress party. The motive of his resignation was essentially to fulfill the ambition that Ranikor become a civil sub-division, which became a reality on Tuesday July 10. This has earned Martin M. Danggo the title as Rajah of Ranikor. The important question is how many citizens would rally for their Raja.
The Congress in Meghalaya has decided to lend support to People’s Democratic Front (PDF) for the Ranikor by-poll. This came after 16 MDC of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) decided to oust CEM Pynsgngain N. Syiem. This came after UDP did not agree to go hand in hand with Congress.
Earlier 16 MDC of KHADC met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to demand a special session in the KHADC.These 16 MDC include 5 of UDP, 4 of NPP, 3 of HSPDP, 3 of PDF and 1 Independent. It is also learnt that NPP and UDP MDC are against P.N. Syiem as the CEM of District Council.
